Real Valladolid 2-5 Atlético de Madrid: Player Ratings

Grbić

Made consecutive starts for Atlético Madrid for the first time since joining the club in 2020. Valladolid had a handful of half-chances in the first 45 minutes, most coming after Atlético had already built a 2-0 lead. Grbić commanded his area confidently but was caught out of position on Sergio Escudero’s 74th-minute header from a corner. Couldn’t do anything about Cyle Larin’s powerful 42nd-minute penalty, which sent him the wrong way. 4.5

Molina

Matched with up teenager Iván Fresneda, regarded as one of the top young full-back prospects in Spain. Had his battle won within 20 minutes, escaping down the right, bringing down a long ball, and showing great composure to slot in the opening goal (his second this month). Escudero ate Molina’s lunch in the second half, and the World Cup winner could perhaps do with a break in midweek. 7.5

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Giménez

Assisted Nahuel Molina’s goal with a pinpoint long ball over the top, the kind of goal Atlético often struggle to create from the back. Four minutes later he got a goal of his own, beating goalkeeper Jordi Masip to Antoine Griezmann’s free kick and nodding the ball past him. 8.5

Witsel

Maintained his place in central defense due to lack of options. Largely unspectacular, dealt well with the red-hot Larin but noticeably struggled when Valladolid began to stretch the play and draw him wide. 5

Hermoso

Challenged early on Sunday by forward Gonzalo Plata and his movement. Looked as if he had a mistake in him and so he did — Hermoso gave away a 40th-minute penalty for an elbow to Plata’s head. He defended poorly throughout and was fortunate Sergio León rattled the potential equalizer off the crossbar. 3.5

Carrasco

Saw lots of the ball early on the left flank, but curiously had little impact on the game offensively, as he finished without a shot attempt. 5

Koke

Understated evening from the captain, who linked moves together when needed but looked to run out of gas after halftime, when Atlético’s midfield cohesion started to fall apart. 5.5

De Paul

A clear target for Valladolid’s scrambling defenders in an excellent first half, as he drew four fouls in the opening 45 minutes. The physicality didn’t seem to bother him — it was his ball into the penalty area that started the move for Álvaro Morata’s goal. Later picked up a second assist on Memphis Depay’s stoppage time goal in the second half. 7.5

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Lemar

His defensive anticipation continues to stand out. He might be getting worse on the ball, though. Diego Simeone is a big believer in Lemar but that faith has to run out at some point. 4.5

Griezmann

Pucela couldn’t stop him. Grabbed his 11th assist of the league season midway through the first half, extending a career-best figure with a free kick into the penalty area that José Giménez nodded into the net. Griezmann’s second assist came a few minutes before halftime, a one-two with Álvaro Morata after Rodrigo de Paul lofted a ball into the area. 9

Morata

Nearly made it 3-0 before the half hour mark but couldn’t guide in a delicate chip. Eventually made it three on 38 minutes, finishing off a lightning-quick sequence with a tap-in from six yards out. 7.5

Correa

Replaced Morata in the 64th minute. Hit the post from a long way out with 20 minutes left, but the linesman thought he had strayed offside (Correa hadn’t). Provoked the 86th-minute own goal that wrapped up the result, as defender Joaquín sent Correa’s return pass for Memphis into the net. 7

Kondogbia

Replaced Lemar in the 68th minute and had a similar impact — not that effective on the ball, decent enough positionally off it. 4.5

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Memphis

Replaced Carrasco in the 79th minute. His first minutes since March 18 against Valencia. Combined well with Ángel Correa in the buildup to the late Valladolid own goal before scoring one of his own — a spectacular solo run and far-post finish in the 92nd minute. 8

Saúl

Replaced Koke in the 79th minute. Perhaps fortunate Mateu Lahoz/Estrada Fernández in the VAR room didn’t believe his handball was spot kick-worthy a few minutes before Atlético sealed the three points. N/A